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Category: Rugby World Cup

The Sydney Opera House was lit up in green & gold tonight ahead of the Rugby World Cup Final between Australia & New Zealand in London.

New South Wales (NSW) Government’s Minister For Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport, Stuart Ayres, said the whole of NSW was behind the Wallabies as they attempt to claim the World Cup for the 1st time since 1999.

“Sydney & NSW are turning up our support for the Wallabies as we light up the iconic Sydney Opera House to cheer the team on. I’ll be setting the alarm for Sunday morning & wish the team the very best of luck,” Mr Ayres said.

“NSW is the home of Australian rugby & it’s fitting that one of our most iconic buildings is dressed up to celebrate the Wallabies.”

“NSW is Australia’s sporting capital, playing host to events including the Cricket World Cup, Asian Cup football, Netball World Cup, Bledisloe Cup & in 2013, the tour by the British and Irish Lions.”

“From 6-7 February next year, Sydney will also host the Sydney Sevens at Allianz Stadium, with fast-paced sevens rugby on display in the summer sunshine” he said.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer, Sandra Chipchase, said that NSW will continue to support major rugby events in 2016.

“In addition to the Sydney Sevens, Sydney will also be hosting the Bledisloe Cup for another year at ANZ Stadium. It will be a fantastic occasion, a World Cup Final replay & like all Aussies, I can’t wait to see the Wallabies emerge victorious as we all support them this weekend at Twickenham” Ms Chipchase said.

The Rugby World Cup Final between Australia & New Zealand will kick-off at 3am on the morning of Sunday 1 November. The Sydney Opera House will be lit from 8pm-12am on Friday & Saturday night.

Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House will turn green & gold in support of the Wallabies as they prepare to face the ultimate test against New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup Final in England early on Sunday morning.

Deputy Premier Of New South Wales (NSW), Troy Grant, and Minister For Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport, Stuart Ayres, made the announcement on the Sydney Opera House steps today flanked by injured Wallabies World Cup lock Will Skelton, FOX SPORTS presenter Matt Shirvington & a group of keen young Wallabies fans.

The Sydney Opera House will turn Green and Gold in support of the Wallabies. Photo: Andrew Frazer

From 8pm AEDT tomorrow (Friday 30 October), the sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated in the green & gold colours of the Wallabies in a spectacular showing of support for the team ahead of its date with destiny.

The famous sails will be wrapped in green & gold again on Saturday night until midnight, prior to kick off in the match at 3am AEDT on Sunday morning (1 November).

Minister For Trade, Tourism, Major Events & Sport, Stuart Ayres, said: “Sydney is the home of rugby in Australia & what better way to show our support than lighting up our iconic Sydney Opera House.”

Deputy Premier & Minister For Arts, Troy Grant, said it is only fitting Australia’s most iconic building sports the green & gold ahead of an iconic event.

“Our Wallabies will know when they see the Opera House’s sails light up that everyone back home will be cheering hard & loud” Mr Grant said.

“From Broken Hill to the Riverina & up north to the Tweed, every fan across NSW & Australia is right behind our boys – let’s show the Kiwis what we’re made of.”

Will Skelton, the giant 140kg lock who was ruled out of the remainder of the Rugby World Cup after injuring his shoulder during the Wallabies 65-3 victory over Uruguay early in the tournament, said the players had felt the support from Aussie fans from the other side of the globe.

“The boys are really aware of the support back here at home & have enjoyed a lot of support over in England as well. Having such incredible support from the whole country has really lifted the team & I know the boys really want to make Australia proud when they run out on Sunday” said Skelton.

The Rugby World Cup 2015 Final between the Wallabies & New Zealand will be screened live in Australia on FOX SPORTS, 9 & GEM.